Winter plans

[davidpdx]

     My plans for improving the handling of my bike this winter were to replace the tires and the rear shocks. Now that I have replaced the tires, I am beginning to wonder if I really need to do the shocks or not. The handling has improved so much and I can save $200 plus shipping if I don't do it. So I guess my question is, does anyone have a good test for motorcycle shocks? I have heard people talk about their bike "pogoing" over bumps but I have never felt that. The main improvement I am looking for is better tracking in long corners at highway speeds. This may have more to do with the skill of the rider but sometimes it seems like I pick a good line into a corner but then need to correct as though the back end had drifted out a little. Interested to hear what improvements anyone has had from new shocks.  60,000 miles and a far as I can tell stock shocks.

[tvrla]

Watch for a good used set of Konis - they come up fairly frequently for $100 to $150.

If the bike pogos over bumps, they're really really gone. I experienced that on an old Volvo once - one of the rear shocks must have gone a while before, and then when the other went, it didn't take any bumps at all for the back end to pogo on a completely smooth road. But that's the only time I've had that happen. Usually the ride quality goes to hell way before they completely fail. And I've always heard the stock Boges are pretty poor quality to begin with, so it's a good idea changing them now no matter the condition.

[montmil]

Would you buy and trust used shocks for your family car? Why risk your arse with used suspension on a motorcycle?

Just be sure those used, synonym: preowned, worn, hand-me-down, castoff or recycled Koni shocks are the correct length and have the correct springs for your personal ATGATT weight and riding style. Buying used, remember to budget for the rebuild parts, if available, and know how to do the job or else pay for someone to do it for you.

Or you might consider calling Dave Quinn and give him your details and he will build a pair of new Hagons custom sprung for you at no extra charge. No rust or worn rubber bushings either.

http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/

Both my R65s have Hagons and they are excellent performers. A number of forum members also use these quality shocks. You really do get what you pay for.

[Barry]

Compressing the suspension and letting it go (the bounce test) should result in no more than 1 oscillation before coming to rest. If it does that then you have some damping effect but this will only tell you the shocks are not totally shot.  Riding hard and fast is the only way to distinguish really good shocks from poor ones.

Konis are considered by some to be a touch harsh at least for light weight riders so maybe a good (with emphasis on the good) used pair might not be so bad a choice. They are rebuildable which by definition means they could be tuned to your liking. Most people will buy used Konis with a view to rebuilding them at some point.

My own experience with buying "sports" shocks whether for car or bike is that they have stiffened the ride to an extent I wasn't happy with.